Manly coach Anthony Seibold explodes over ‘shocking’ tackle drama

Manly coach Anthony Seibold has erupted in his press conference after a “scary” moment all but ended the Sea Eagles’ season.

Anthony Seibold has let rip. Photo: Fox Sports

Manly coach Anthony Seibold has exploded in his post-match press conference as the Sea Eagles’ season ended in a controversial 29-22 loss to the Warriors in New Zealand.

Essentially playing for their season, the Sea Eagles led 22-16 but didn’t score a point in the second half.

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But with eight minutes remaining and the score locked at 22-all, Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans attempted a field goal, only to see it charged down by Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.

The ball sprayed out to Manly fullback Reuben Garrick, but a desperate chase from Nicoll-Klokstad saw the Warriors fullback coming through at speed and seemingly getting Garrick in a dangerous position.

While it was ugly, since it wasn’t from a kick, the rule is different about being tackled in the air and referee Todd Smith explained that since it wasn’t a dangerous tackle by the rule book, it would be a knock on as Garrick dropped the ball after falling heavily.

The moment was soon made much worse for the Sea Eagles as a break by Marata Niukore sealed the match as an injured Garrick couldn’t make the chase.

The decision may have been right by the letter of the law but it left a bad taste in some people’s mouths.

It's an ugly scene. Photo: Fox Sports

Daily Telegraph reporter Buzz Rothfield posted: “If the shocking tackle on Garrick wasn’t a penalty they need to change the rules.”

I’m going to say this with my eyes firmly maroon & white - BUT it seems absurd that Garrick’s incident doesn’t warrant a penalty. I get why, with the rule as it is - but why is the rule as such? Who can explain it?

— Latemail Man (@LateMailMan) August 18, 2023

That tackle on Garrick might be a rule that league wants to revisit. Don't see anyone real reason why that shouldn't be illegal. #NRLWarriorsManly

— Max Power (@jrodbourn) August 18, 2023

After the match, Seibold vented his rage during the post-match press conference.

“It’s was ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous,” Seibold said. “It’s ridiculous mate.

“Look, everyone here, that’s a penalty every day of the week. The rule says it’s not with regards because the ball has bounced or wasn’t a kick.

“But how many times do we pull tackles up for a slight crusher and give a penalty, someone slipping up from chest to the jaw and it’s a penalty? How many times? Fair dinkum — let’s be serious.

“So we go two points up with six minutes to go. They get the ball back, Reuben can’t run. We make a poor defensive error but our fullback can’t run and we’re saying it’s not a dangerous tackle. I reckon it’s ridiculous.

“And that’s two weeks in a row. I’ll get a call from David Fairleigh or someone tomorrow from the NRL and they’ll apologise or say that’s the correct decision or it wasn’t a dangerous tackle — it was a dangerous tackle. He’s injured. He couldn’t finish the game.

“And it’s our season on the line so I am p*ssed off about it. But our CEO will cop a call from Graham Annesley and Graham will come out on the video on Monday and they’ll go through the rigmarole of it. But that is deadset a penalty. And it’s two weeks in a row we’ve got dud decisions, two weeks in a row against top four teams and you need a bounce of the ball, you need a call to go your way.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the boys. They fought hard but ultimately we weren’t good enough. And the guide for us is to handle some of those decisions. But it should have been two in front with six to go. And I’m just sick of it because I bite my tongue. I’m not a coach who comes out and has a whinge but I’m just sick of it.”

Anthony Seibold was not happy. Photo: Fox Sports

Asked if there were double standards around player safety, Seibold continued: “Of course it is mate. Everyone in here, you asked me the question because it’s a notable tackle right. You wouldn’t have asked it otherwise.

“It is concerning for me mate because I don’t understand the rules anymore. We give a penalty away for the slightest slip up from shoulder to chin or the slightest person adding a little weight to someone’s neck. It’s ridiculous and it’s two weeks in a row. I can’t wait to talk to Dave Fairleigh or Graham Annesley or whoever’s going to give me a call tomorrow — I can’t wait.”

When Cherry-Evans was asked for his take, he said: “I think we understand the rule, the rule’s not in contention here — it’s the dangerous position. If that’s not a dangerous position, I don’t know what is.”

Seibold added that the Sea Eagles could now not make the finals.

He also confirmed that Garrick had hurt his back and was getting attention in the sheds at full-time.

“We pull every other tackle up and we talk about safety but it is when it wants to be,” Seibold said.

“We talk about a safe game when it wants to be and then we get that. I understand the rule that it wasn’t from a kick, I get it. That is right. But it’s a dangerous tackle and we’ve got a duty of care to the players.”

It was an ugly moment. Photo: Fox Sports

Garrick fell awkwardly. Photo: Fox Sports

Warriors coach Andrew Webster had a different opinion however.

He said it was “fair game” as the ball was bouncing and he jumped up.

Asked if it should be the rule, Webster said: “Yeah.”

“Because the ball’s rolling and kicks up and bounces, where does everyone want Charnze to go?” Webster added.

“It’s scary, I get it but Charnze is competing so hard for that football and then Reuben jumps and he clips him.

“Unless I’m wrong and the Bunker’s had an hour to think about it and made a wrong decision. But if that’s the rule, I don’t see why that should be a penalty.”

Originally published as Manly coach Anthony Seibold explodes over ‘shocking’ tackle drama